'Best Wel Goed Ei ̶j̶ genlijk'

Midnight in Amsterdam presents a pop-up window exhibition by Amsterdam-based artist Joseph Segaran. A deconstructed sketchbook, entitled: ‘BEST WEL GOED EIJGENLIJK’

​​

The sketchbook is a glimpse into a chaotic mind full of contrasts and random thoughts about living in the Netherlands for 20 years, speaking Dutch ‘best wel goed eigenlijk’,

but still not always knowing (or caring) whether it’s ‘de’ of ‘het’, 'd', 't' of 'dt',

or where to place that 'j'.

​

British–Sri Lankan artist Joseph Segaran, who became officially Dutch last year, has lived in Amsterdam for 20 years. With a passion for drawing and an eye for detail, he turns everyday impressions, people, scenes, words and the small details that shape his daily life into playful hand-drawn works. His sketchbooks, which he carries with him everywhere, are a place to collect these observations, from fully realised, carefully drawn and detailed scenes to seemingly random words and fleeting thoughts.

​

Previously, Joseph's work focused largely on detailed architectural drawings, with fine lines, precision and structure taking centre stage. His recent works have become looser

and more spontaneous, drawing on observations from his surroundings, museums,

cycling through the city and everyday moments. The exhibition brings this sketchbook approach into a larger format, by literally tearing apart the sketchbook, to share it

with the viewer on the gallery wall, translating its subtle humour and seemingly

incidental observations into a finished work. 

 

Joseph embraces the direct and expressive nature of working with pen directly onto paper. This exhibition is an ode to embracing mistakes and analogue artwork in a world increasingly full of AI, Photoshop and the feeling that there is a need to always

strive for ‘perfection’.

​

All works are for sale. For more information, please get in touch